Job Discussion Forums

Arab Strap · Joined: 25 Feb 2004 Posts: 246 Location: under your bed

Question for you UAE experts.

Is AED15,000 education allowance per child, per year enough to cover a decent primary school/kindergarten?

Is AED4000 per month enough to get a reasonable two or three bedroom flat in Al Ain?

Is AED8700 a decent basic wage for someone with a BA (unrelated to teaching) 13 years teaching experience (4 in the Middle East) and a CELTA?

All help, either through the forum or by PM will be much appreciated.

stoth1972 · Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2006 7:07 pm Post subject:

Though I can't be sure about rent in Al Ain, I would say it's a resounding "no" to all three.

stoth1972 · Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2006 7:13 pm Post subject:

To add one more thinG...you said you have 13 years experience in teaching. Are you a qualified teacher? I'm afraid the salary associated with a CELTA alone in the UAE is hardly enough to support one person, let alone a child, too.

Arab Strap · Joined: 25 Feb 2004 Posts: 246 Location: under your bed

Just a BA and a CELTA, the experience is in teaching however and I have held a couple of DOS positions.

I can earn far more in KSA, I know this, but the wife is not too keen on moving there.

stoth1972 · Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2006 3:26 pm Post subject:

I would steer you away from the UAE at this point. An MEd/MA TESOL is really necessary for teaching there if you are not a qualified K-12 teacher. I'm sure you could get a job in a less reputable international school, based upon your experience, or perhaps a couple dodgey language places (I know because I've worked in those places in the UAE with similar credentials). Ultimately, you have a child to consider, and education in the UAE is quite expensive (particularly the decent places).

Arab Strap · Joined: 25 Feb 2004 Posts: 246 Location: under your bed

stoth1972 · Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2006 4:41 pm Post subject:

I think there's a recent thread on this site about HCT's salaries. A friend of mine had a DELTA, years of experience teaching the CELTA course, and he got hired along with his wife (who was more qualified). I believe he came in around 9500 dirhams/month. She got a good bit more, since she had something special to offer. Perhaps around 13,000 dirhams/month. If HCTs website says they'll hire a BA and CELTA holder, then I've yet to meet those people working for them. Way back when, they used to hire Dips plus experience (some of those people still work for HCT) though because there are loads of MA/MEd TESOL holders out there looking for work, I don't suspect HCT needs to hire any full-timers with lower qualifications. I suspect you could get an adjunct position with HCT with a BA and CELTA (there's also a recent thread on here discussing what they pay, what they expect, etc.). Those positions are often offered to people already living in the UAE, and cannot be relied upon for providing the kind of money you'd need to work in the UAE.

Does your wife teach?

Sorry to be the Negative Nancy here. I've worked in the UAe with your qulaifications without any dependents. The recent rise in the cost of living in the UAE, particularly in Dubai, makes it's very hard for families to earn a decent living.

Arab Strap · Joined: 25 Feb 2004 Posts: 246 Location: under your bed

Thanx for the advice.

The Mrs isn't a native speaker (although fluent) or a teacher so she'd be looking for a job in a kindergarten, playgroup etc.

From what you're saying I think about 8700 is as much as I can expect.

It all depends on the cost of living and also what I can manage to save from the 4000 accommo allowance.

I'm actually earning a lot more in KSA and the job I have is not too shabby, just that life here isn't easy. There's also the fact that I'm on a year to year rolling contract which doesn't give one the feeling of security.

The standard three year contract offered in UAE attracts me and it also gives me some time to get a MA by distance learning making me more attractive to employers in the UAE.

The HCT job requirements are BA and CELTA, I checked and it's not a adjunst position, I've managed to jump through one hoop the next step would be a interview. We'll see what transpires.

Thanks again for the sound advice.

AS

stoth1972 · Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2006 5:04 pm Post subject:

I really wish some others would weigh in on this, particularly the current HCT crowd. I think a lot of people are travelling right now, though.

Is the offer you have from HCT, or another organisation?

Arab Strap · Joined: 25 Feb 2004 Posts: 246 Location: under your bed

I have to be a wee bit careful what I write here as I am sure a few of my current colleauges know who I am and might go running to the gaffer telling him that I'm about to jump ship!!!! Such is the back stabbing, management a**e licking way.

If you are reading this I am happy where I am for now and just looking into a few other possibilities...............just like 99.9% of the people who I work with are doing during their 'office hour'.

From the HCT website

Requirements

Bachelor`s degree in English Language or equivalent
At least 3 years experience of teaching English demonstrating knowledge of contemporary teaching practices
Practical Teaching Qualification ( CELTA, DELTA or PGCE)
Masters degree in English Language Teaching or the Educational field ( preferred)

I think I just about fit the profile if they let experience speak over qualifications.........obviously they can pick and choose and there are those far better qualified than me out there.

If I had a general idea what I could make in the UAE then I could weigh up my options.............money isn't the be all and end all but it helps

The offer was from another organisation in Al Ain, no points for guessing where but I'd rather keep it quiet for now.

stoth1972 · Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2006 5:22 pm Post subject:

You might find life cheaper in Al Ain than in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. know what you mean about people reading this site...madness.
More power to ya if you get into HCT with your qualifications. I recall debating what the qualifications said on the site of HCT and MLI with the recruiting manager, who told me, "Come back when you have the actual Masters in hand."
Good luck!!!

grand fromage · Joined: 16 Jun 2003 Posts: 131

The offer would be border-line reasonable if the rent allowance were higher. Especially that Buraimi has been sealed off recently forcing many people to move back to Al Ain and hiking rents overnight. If your kids are just starting school, the 15k might be enough in Al Ain, but it won't if they are in high school already. The salary is on the low-end of the scale, but Al Ain is much cheaper than other cities to live in. It is also a very peaceful place where the chaos of AD, Dubai and Sharja has not surfaced yet. Good luck deciding.

Arab Strap · Joined: 25 Feb 2004 Posts: 246 Location: under your bed

Thanks again for all the advice, it's really helping me and the family.

I've had a wee look and the education allowance more than covers my oldest kid but I'd be over budget if I decided to send the youngest to kindergarten as well.

Neither of my kids are old enough to be covered by my current employer in KSA.

We can live pretty frugally, so I'm just wondering, if I could manage to get a two bedroom appartment for under or just on 4000p/m, how much do you think I could save from 8700? I already have a car and the Mrs would like to work if possible.

NadiaK · Joined: 27 Jul 2006 Posts: 206

I think you can live on that, and possibly save a wee bit if you're frugal - especially since you already have a car.

To be honest, I don't think you'd be in with much of a chance getting a job with HCT - sorry Sad

. I'm actually very surprised that their website lists CELTA as an acceptable teaching qualification. At HCT we have been told that all teachers (now including adjuncts) need a relevant Master's degree, with a DELTA being an acceptable equivalent.

That said, HCT is currently desperate for English teachers so it is possible that they have in fact lowered their requirements. If you have been screened in, then this would seem to be the case and you're in with a chance.

I would guess you would be offered something in the range of 9,000 without a DELTA or MA - maybe a bit more as you have more than 10 years of experience. The housing allowance would be higher, and I think the education allowance (applicable from the age of 5 up) is higher. If you get an offer, there is always the possibility that you can negotiate a little bit more (not much, though).

Feel free to PM me if you want to chat more about this.

Good luck!

NK

Iamherebecause · Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2006 7:59 am Post subject:

4k a month accommodation allowance is 48k a year - UGRU allowance is I think 50k a year. So you ought to be able to find a decent place to live. Remember you might have to pay a huge lump in advance though. Or do you get the money yourself anyway? UGRU and HCT pay the landlords direct. Check that one before you rely on saving from it!
You have to be careful with schools here as you get what you pay for. Cheap fees = large classes, underpaid teachers etc. And don't believe what they say about Al Ain being sooo much cheaper than Abu Dhabi and Dubai though - OK accommodation is cheaper than in both, and taxis are cheaper than Dubai but food, clothing, entertainment - pretty much the same. Only less choice. That said it is a nicer place to live.